Members of Food and Commercial Workers Union Bring Enthusiasm and Perspective from America's Workplaces
BOSTON, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Among the tens of thousands of delegates to the Democratic Convention, one would be hard-pressed to find many who embody the experience and perspective of middle America swing voters. Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), elected as delegates from their respective home states, reflect the real concerns of voters across the country.
UFCW member Jeanelle Fuson is an alternate delegate from Covington, Kentucky, where she works as a pharmacy technician. Jeanelle is concerned about rising health care costs. She is proud to participate in the Democratic National Convention and has boasted that she may be one of the only delegates at the convention who raises a family on her yearly income of under $20,000 a year.
Twenty-year-old delegate Justin Meyers of Grand Rapids, Mich., wants to change the country. He thinks it's going in a negative direction, especially for people his age. "Health care, the job market, college tuition -- we have to turn things around," says Meyers, a supermarket cashier and college student. As a member of the UFCW Local 951, he is actively reaching out to his co-workers and fellow students to register and vote for the Kerry/Edwards ticket.
"Kerry's optimism and energy are infectious," says Meyers. "He's a charismatic guy, who understands the issues, and he's actively offering young people real choices for change." Meyers is especially concerned that good paying jobs aren't going to be around when he and his fellow students graduate from college. "The majority of new jobs being generated are low pay, no benefit jobs," he says. "We need good jobs with health care so people can afford to live."
Costello Dash is an African-American delegate from the Bronx, New York. Costello works in the stockroom at Bloomingdales and has been an active member of his union, UFCW Local 3. He is concerned about health care both for himself and his family and for all retail workers. He wants to see an economic recovery that will result in quality jobs with good benefits.
Audrey Swanson is an African-American delegate from Carrollton, Texas, where she is new to the political scene. She works in a Sara Lee bakery warehouse where her job helps her support her husband and kids. Audrey has never been too interested in politics, until now. Grown frustrated by our country's stagnated economy and employer attacks on affordable health care, Audrey decided it was time to get involved. She ran for delegate and won.
Carmen Acosta works in a grocery store in Queens, New York where she is a member of UFCW Local 338.
For all of these workers, the 2004 Democratic National Convention is their first experience at a national political convention.
Also among the UFCW delegation is the leader of the largest local union in Michigan. Michigan's biggest union isn't in the auto industry anymore, but a union representing workers at a discount retailer. Robert Potter is President of UFCW Local 951 which represents 35,000 workers across Michigan, mostly at Meijer. Lew Piercey, another UFCW delegate, leads UFCW Local 700 which is the largest local union in Indiana. Both local presidents are focused on health care reform as a key issue in the November elections.
Posted by UFCW 227 at July 26, 2004 09:40 PM